Access to emergency medical care in Arcola is getting a boost thanks to the expansion of the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s Virtual Physician Program.
The SHA confirmed that Arcola is the latest rural community to implement the program, which uses remote technology to connect emergency department physicians with local health-care teams when in-person doctors are temporarily unavailable. The program is part of the provincial government's ongoing efforts to support health care in rural and remote areas while recruitment for permanent physicians continues.
“The virtual physician program is an interim measure that helps sustain and support access to emergency health services while work continues to recruit physicians to rural and remote locations across Saskatchewan,” the SHA stated.
The program enables registered nurses at the Arcola Health Centre to consult with emergency department physicians through voice or video via HealthLine 811. The physician works with the on-site health-care team to remotely assess patients and provide direction on the appropriate care needed to safely and effectively treat their condition.
Arcola now joins 27 other Saskatchewan communities, including Kipling and Redvers, currently supported by the virtual physician program. It is one of several initiatives under the province’s Health Human Resource Action Plan aimed at addressing staffing shortages and improving access to care throughout Saskatchewan.
The SHA emphasized that recruitment and retention of health-care professionals remains a key priority for both the Authority and the provincial government.